PIP Consumables Catalogue JULY 2024 ED1 DIGITAL V3 - Flipbook - Page 179
EN388 - Mechanical Risk
Standards
The European EN388 Mechanical Risk
standard was updated in 2016 to make
testing procedures and results more
precise.
Key changes to the standard are an additional cut test
(ISO13997) if the traditional cut test (Coupe Test) fails and a
non-compulsory impact resistance test.
As fabrics, in particular cut resistant fabrics have become
more technically advanced in protecting against cuts and
lacerations, limitations of the traditional methods for measuring
cut resistance (Coupe Test) have been identioed.
The Coupe Test measures cut resistance by recording the
number of cycles it takes to cut through a glove material at
a constant speed and pressure when compared to a cotton
reference. Five (5) is the highest score a glove can receive,
using the Coupe Test.
Many cut resistant fabrics have evolved signiocantly from
when the EN388 standard was originally written. In fact,
many of these fabrics will blunt the Coupe Test blade, further
compromising the accuracy of test results.
ISO 13997 measures the amount of pressure required to make
an incision in the test fabric over a 20mm travel distance using
a razor sharp blade. Performance is rated in the letters A to
F depending on resistance to pressure, which is measured in
Newtons (N).
